Using commonly agreed indicators, this report identifies the predominant factors affecting child poverty in each country. Indicators have not been used to name and shame but to group countries according to the common challenges they face: joblessness, in-work poverty, insufficient support to families. The report also reviews the national monitoring and evaluation systems in place and draws 15 recommendations to better assess and monitor child poverty and the multiple dimensions of child well-being across the EU. Download .PDF >>

Children are an especially vulnerable group because of their dependent status and because they can only partly influence their own well-being. They are also our future: lack of opportunities during childhood all too often will have long-term consequences for the individuals concerned and for society as a whole. Swift action will instead pay off now as well as bear fruit in the years to come by breaking the vicious cycle of the inter-generational transmission of poverty. Combating child poverty and improving child well-being have therefore become key issues on the policy agenda of the EU and Members States. Following the work carried out in 2007 and 2008 by the European…

Fostering inclusive labour markets and combating child poverty and social exclusion are two of the key challenges that need to be tackled by Member States if the objective of the Europe 2020 Strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is to be achieved. These challenges were identified following analysis of the National Reform Programmes (NRPs) which Member States submitted to the European Commission in April 2011. This short paper explores how these challenges can best be addressed and shares examples of good practices. It aims to guide the reader towards concrete policy solutions which can then be applied during the on-going implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The paper draws…